FR2856128A1 - VALVE DEVICE AND MULTI-CHANNEL REGULATION ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEVERAL SUCH DEVICES - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a valve device (1) for regulating a fluid, comprising a valve body (3) fixed to a support spindle (4) extending transversely into said portion and mounted with the ability to rotate therein, said conduit portion comprising, on either side of said spindle (4), opposing internal steps forming two bearing surface portions for corresponding edge parts of said valve body (3), in the closure position thereof, each step extending substantially over approximately half of the internal circumference of the conduit portion in the region of the mounting position of the support spindle (4). <??>Device (1) characterised in that the opposing edge parts (6,6') of the plate-shaped valve body (3) comprise deformable sealing means (7,7') for operation thereof in the closure position of said valve body (3), in the form of two flexible lips extending from said edge parts (6,6') asymmetrically on either side of said valve body (3) and at an inclination to the plane of the valve body (3), a first (7) toward the exterior and the second (7') toward the interior.

Description

DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to the field of control and regulation of the flow of fluids, in particular gaseous, and in particular in the context of air intake systems for internal combustion engines, for example in connection with manifolds or intake splitters.

  The present invention relates to a valve control device, a multi-way control assembly (s) comprising several such devices and a method of manufacturing an intake manifold comprising such an assembly.

  Multiple valve devices are already known for regulating the flow rate or the variation of the flow of a fluid in a duct, tube or the like.

  Thus, in French patent application No. 2 805 878 in the name of the applicant, a valve valve device is proposed in which the valve body comes to bear, in the closed position, on internal recesses at the level from the passage receiving said device and the passage from the open state to the closed state of said device being obtained by a limited pivoting of said valve body.

  However, the possibility of displacement of the valve body in the closed position while maintaining the seal is very limited, and does not allow any possible play to be made up on the control.

  However, such a clearance is frequently present in regulation assemblies grouping together several valve devices controlled simultaneously by a single control member.

  The object of the present invention is in particular to overcome the above limitation.

  For this purpose, its main object is a valve device for regulating a fluid, in particular gaseous, in a portion of conduit, comprising a valve body integral with a support axis extending transversely in said portion and mounted with the possibility of rotation in the latter, said duct portion comprising, on either side of said axis, opposite internal recesses forming two bearing surface portions for corresponding edge portions of said valve body, in position for closing the latter, each recess extending substantially over approximately half of the internal circumference of the duct portion at the level of the mounting site of the support axis and said recesses being advantageously offset on either side of the plane perpendicular to the direction of circulation of the fluid in said portion and containing said support axis, so that the pivot angle of the valve body and between its maximum open position and its closed position is less than 90, device characterized in that the opposite edge parts of the plate-shaped valve body include deformable sealing means, ensuring their function in position 10 for closing said valve body, in the form of two flexible lips extending from said edge portions asymmetrically on either side of said valve body and being inclined relative to the plane of the valve body , a first outward and the second inward.

  The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a exploded perspective view of a valve device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view (on a different scale) in cross section at the passage of the duct portion of the valve device according to the invention (in substantially closed position); Figures 3A and 3B are respectively side elevation and cross-sectional views of a valve body forming part of the device of Figures 1 and 2; FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively side elevation views (along the edge) and from above of an assembly [valve body / support and control shaft] forming part of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2; Figures SA, 5B and 5C are respectively perspective views, in side elevation and in section along the axial plane of the structural body forming part of the valve device of Figures 1 and 2, and, Figure 6 is a perspective view , partially exploded, of a multi-channel control assembly (s) comprising several devices according to the invention and mounted in an intake manifold.

  As shown in the figures of the appended drawings, the invention relates to a valve device 1 for regulating a fluid, in particular gaseous, in a portion of conduit 2, comprising a valve body 3 integral with a support axis 4 extending transversely in said portion and mounted with the possibility of rotation in the latter, said duct portion 2 comprising, on either side of said axis 4, opposing internal recesses 5, 5 ′ forming two portions of bearing surface for 5 corresponding edge portions 6, 6 ′ of said valve body 3, in the closed position of the latter, each step 5, 5 ′ extending substantially over approximately half of the internal circumference of the duct portion 2 at the mounting site of the support axis 4.

  Advantageously, said recesses 5 and 5 ′ are offset on either side of the plane P perpendicular to the direction D of circulation of the fluid in said portion 2 and containing said support axis 4, so that the pivot angle of the valve body 3 between its maximum open position (minimum pressure drop caused by the valve body 3 positioned along its edge in direction D) and its closed position 15 (closing of the passage through the portion of conduit 3) is less than 90.

  According to the invention, the opposite edge parts 6, 6 ′ of the plate-shaped valve body 3 include deformable sealing means 7, 7 ′, ensuring their function in the closed position 20 of said valve body 3 , in the form of two flexible lips extending from said edge parts 6, 6 ′ asymmetrically on either side of said valve body 3 and being inclined relative to the plane of valve body 3, a first 7 outwards and the second 7 'inwards.

  By virtue of the aforementioned provisions, it is possible to guarantee sealing on the shutter within a determined angular range of rotation of the support axis 4 between a minimum shutter position (when the flexible lips 7 and 7 ′ arrive just in contact with the corresponding bearing surfaces 5 and 5 ') and a maximum sealing position (when said flexible lips 7 and 7' are deformed to the maximum of their possibility).

  In addition, the realization of the sealing at the level of surfaces in internal recess relative to the internal wall of the duct portion 3, makes it possible to avoid any contact and therefore any friction between the lips 7 and 7 ′ and said internal wall. , the shutter intervening only from the moment of the coming into contact of said lips with said bearing surfaces 35.

  Furthermore, the asymmetrical production of the lips 7 and 7 ′, combined with the concordant orientations of the recesses forming portions of the bearing surface 5 and 5 ′, allows in the event of fluid suction in the direction of circulation D in the closed position of the valve body 3, to lead to the generation of a pivoting torque tending to reinforce said closure by increased deformation of the lips 7 and 7 '.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, emerging in particular from FIG. 2 and from FIG. 3B of the appended drawings, the two planar bearing portions 5 and 5 ′ are contained in respective parallel planes, offset by the one relative to the other in the direction D of circulation of the fluid and inclined with respect to the plane P. In addition, in the closed position 10 of the valve body 3 under stress, the first lip 7 is elastically deformed by bending towards the outside and the second lip 7 ′ is elastically deformed by bending inwards, in the direction of the corresponding face of the valve body 3, this by pressing each on a corresponding surface portion 5, 5 ′, a continuation of the movement pivot 15 of the valve body 3, after a first contact of the lips 7, 7 'with the bearing surface portions 5, 5', resulting in an increase in the surfaces of said lips 7, 7 'in contact with said portions and the pres support sion.

  In accordance with an advantageous practical embodiment variant of the invention, the valve body 3 consists of a plate 3 ′ of a rigid material covered, by overmolding, with a flexible and elastic material 3 "from which are also formed. , in one piece, the two lips 7, 7 ′ in the form of flanges, one of which extends inclined laterally outward from one of the faces of one of the 25 edge portions 6 and the other 7 ′ of which extends laterally inwardly inclined from the opposite face of the other of the edge portions 6 ′.

  In order to obtain a resistant and intimate attachment of the flexible material 3 "to the plate 3 ', it can advantageously be provided to provide the plate 3' of the valve body 3 with a plurality of perforations or days 3" '30 crossed by flexible material bridges connecting the layers or parts of overmolded layers covering the opposite faces of said valve body 3.

  In addition, the flexible material 3 "can form, at the level of the portions of the support axis 4 situated between the lateral edges of the plate 3 ′ and the areas of internal wall facing the portion of conduit 2, flanges d sealing 9 participating in the obstruction of the passage through said portion of conduit 2, at least in the closed position of the valve body 3. To limit the pressure drop in the open position of the valve body, the sealing flanges 9 will only extend over half of the circumference of the abovementioned portions of the support axis 4, their apparent surfaces in the direction D of circulation of the fluid being maximum in the closed position of the valve body 3.

  Said sealing flanges 9 will in particular, in the closed position of the valve body 3, close off the passages delimited by the lateral edges of said body 3, the recesses 5 and 5 ′ and the internal wall parts of the duct portion 2, and in which the aforementioned portions of the support axis 4 are located.

  In order to avoid any damage to the lips 7 and 7 ′ which is detrimental to good sealing in the closed position, the device advantageously includes a stop means 8, preferably formed integrally with the portion of conduit 2, limiting movement pivoting of the valve body 3 in the closing direction and defining a maximum closing position for the latter, so as to avoid an exaggerated deformation of the lips 7, 7 '.

  This stop means 8 may for example consist of a projecting finger or nose formed at one of the recesses 5, 5 '(see in particular FIG. 2 and 5A) on which a local excess thickness 7 "of the layer comes to bear. of flexible material 3 "(see in particular FIGS. 1, 3A, 3B and 4B), or possibly localized deformation of the plate 3 '.

  In addition, at least one means 10, 10 ′ can also be provided for limiting the pivoting of said body 3 in the opposite direction, advantageously in a rotational position situated slightly beyond the maximum opening position, for example in the form of a recess or two opposite recesses formed on the internal wall of said duct portion 3, on which the lateral edges of the valve body 3 can come to bear at their opposite faces 30 to the faces carrying the lips 7 and 7 '.

  The support axis 4 may consist of a portion of metal rod provided with a flat 4 ′ on which is fixed, for example by riveting, by bolting or welding, the plate 3 in the form of a metal plate, the flexible material 3 "consisting made of a silicone-based elastomer, for example of the type known under the designation ...

  According to an advantageous practical configuration of the invention, the cross section of the passage of the duct portion 2, at least at the site of mounting of the valve body 3 / support pin 4 assembly, and the valve body 3 have a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

  In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, making it possible to have a functional sub-assembly ready for assembly, the valve device 1 consists of an insert module or pre-assembled cassette comprising, in addition to the body assembly valve 3 / support axis 4, a structural body comprising a part 12 forming a plug, provided with at least one fixing flange 13 and extended by an openwork part 14 of generally annular structure, providing at least the internal wall of a portion of 10 conduit 2 at the site of assembly of the valve body 3 / support pin 4 and the recesses forming seats 5, 5 'for the edge parts 6, 6' of said valve body 3, said perforated part 14 comprising opposite guide bearings 15, 15 'for the support axis 4, one of said guide bearings also extending through the part 12 forming a plug and the part of the support axis 4 extending beyond the latter being united of a part or of a rotary drive member 16, such as for example a rod (FIG. 1).

  The guide bearing located in the part 12 forming a plug may in particular comprise an annular lip seal 12 ′ providing an axial seal around the support axis 4.

  The part 12 forming a plug may comprise, in addition to two fixing flanges 13 in the form of ears provided with holes for the passage of fixing screws, also a stop means 12 "for the rod 16 in two extreme positions of rotation of the support axis 4 (Figures 1 and 5).

  In order to allow an adjusted assembly with centering, the external faces of the parts 12 and 14 are preferably supported by a cylindrical surface with slightly frustoconical extension from the part 12 in the form of a plug, sealing means 17, 18 being attached on said faces to ensure a circumferential peripheral tightness 30 at the level of said plug-shaped part 12 and on the outer periphery of the annular part 14.

  As shown more particularly in FIG. 5C in relation to FIGS. 1, SA and 5B, the sealing means 17, 18 consist of double lip seals added by overmolding and contiguous with each other. To increase the attachment force of the sealing means 17 and 18 on the parts 12 and 14, the latter can be provided with - 7 recesses constituting privileged anchoring sites for said seals 17, 18.

  The present invention also relates, as shown in FIG. 6, to a multi-channel regulating assembly for controlling the circulation of a gaseous fluid in several conduits simultaneously, in particular in several pipes of an intake manifold of a internal combustion engine, characterized in that it is constituted by several valve devices 1 as described above and represented in the appended figures, whose valve body 3 / respective support pin 4 assemblies 10 are controlled in position by a single control rod 19 functionally integral with an actuator 20, said devices 1 being mounted in an indexed and sealed manner in transverse housings 21 formed in said conduits 22 with the support axes 4 located in a plane perpendicular to the directions of flow of the fluid in said 15 conduits 22 and with the internal walls of the perforated parts 14 of the various flush-mounted devices 1 s and contiguous to the internal walls of the respective conduits receiving them.

  The control rod 19 has a plurality of drive sites 19 ', such as pins, recesses, protrusions or the like, implanted spaced apart along said rod and each engaging with a drive part in rotation 16 of a control axis 4.

  The control rod 19, the drive sites 19 ′, the actuator 20 and the plug-shaped parts 12 of the valve devices 25 1 may for example be produced in the manner as described and represented in French patent n0 2,793,539 in the name of the plaintiff.

  Finally, the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an intake manifold comprising at least two pipes, the circulation flow of which is regulated and provided with a multi-channel regulation assembly as described above (cf. FIG. 6).

  This process essentially consists in producing at least one, and preferably several, manifold (s) provided with transverse housings 21 for receiving and mounting the valve devices 1 of the aforementioned assembly, by means of the process of production intended to produce these collectors in series, to measure the deformations and clearances affecting the collectors thus produced, in particular at the level of said transverse housings 21, to produce in series the collectors, the valve devices and the control rods, the latter taking take into account the results of the aforementioned measurements for the implantation of the training sites 19 ′, and finally, to mount on each collector the valve devices 1 and a corresponding control rod 19.

  Thanks to these provisions of the manufacturing process and to the considerable deformation faculty of the sealing means 7 and 7 ′ of the valve body 3 of the different devices 1, it is possible to compensate for the manufacturing tolerances associated with mass production. and to guarantee optimum assembly of the various components of the multi-channel control assembly and good sealing at each valve device 1 in the closed position of said assembly, despite their simultaneous mechanical control.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (13)

  1. Valve device for regulating a fluid, in particular a gaseous fluid, in a portion of duct, comprising a valve body integral with a support axis extending transversely in said portion and mounted with the option of rotation in the latter. , said portion 5 of conduit comprising, on either side of said axis, opposite internal recesses forming two portions of bearing surface for corresponding edge portions of said valve body, in the closed position of the latter, each recess extending substantially over approximately half of the inner circumference of the portion of conduit at the level of the mounting site of the support axis and said recesses being advantageously offset on either side of the plane perpendicular to the direction of circulation fluid in said portion and containing said support axis, such that the pivot angle of the valve body between its maximum open position and its closed position is less than 15 90, device (1) characterized in that the opposite edge parts (6, 6 ') of the plate-shaped valve body (3) include means (7, 7' ) deformable sealing, ensuring their function in the closed position of said valve body (3), in the form of two flexible lips extending from said edge parts (6, 6 ') asymmetrically on the one hand and 20 on the other side of said valve body (3) and being inclined relative to the plane of the valve body (3), a first (7) outward and the second (7 ') inward.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two flat support surface portions (5 and 5 ') are contained in respective parallel planes, offset with respect to each other in the direction ( D) of circulation of the fluid and inclined relative to the plane (P) and in that, in the closed position under stress of the valve body (3), the first lip (7) is elastically deformed by bending outwards and the second lip (7 ′) is elastically deformed by bending inwards, in the direction of the corresponding face of the valve body (3), this each by pressing on a corresponding surface portion (5, 5 ′), a continuation of the pivoting movement of the valve body (3), after a first contact of the lips (7, 7 ') with the bearing surface portions (5, 5'), resulting in an - 10 increase in the surfaces of said lips (7, 7 ') in contact with said portions and the contact pressure.   3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the valve body (3) consists of a plate (3 ') 5 of a rigid material covered, by overmolding, with a material (3 ") flexible and elastic from which are also formed, in one piece, the two lips (7, 7 ') in the form of flanges, one of which (7) extends inclined laterally towards the outside from one of the faces of one of the edge parts (6) and the other (7 ') of which extends inclined laterally inwards from the opposite face of the other of the edge parts (6 ').   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the plate (3 ') of the valve body (3) is provided with a plurality of perforations or days (3 "') crossed by (e) s bridges flexible material connecting the 15 layers or parts of overmolded layers covering the opposite faces of said valve body (3) and in that the flexible material (3 ") forms, at the portions of the support axis (4) located between the lateral edges of the plate (3 ′) and the zones of internal wall facing the duct portion (2), sealing flanges (9) participating in the obstruction of the passage through said duct portion (2 ), at least in the closed position of the valve body (3).   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a stop means (8), preferably formed integrally with the duct portion (2), limiting the movement of pivoting of the valve body (3) in the closing direction and defining a maximum closing position for the latter, so as to avoid an exaggerated deformation of the lips (7, 7 '), at least one means (10, 10' ) limiting the pivoting of said body (3) in the opposite direction, advantageously in a rotational position situated slightly beyond the maximum opening position, possibly also being provided, for example in the form of a recess or of two opposite recesses formed on the internal wall of said portion of conduit (3).   6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the support axis (4) consists of a portion of metal rod provided with a flat (4 ') on which is fixed, for example by riveting, riveting or welding, the plate (3 ') in the form of a metal plate - 11, the flexible material (3 ") consisting of a silicone-based elastomer.   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the section of the passage of the duct portion (2), at least at the level of the mounting site of the valve body assembly (3) / support axis (4), and the valve body (3) have a rectangular shape with rounded angles.   8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it consists of a module to be inserted or cassette 10 pre-assembled (e) comprising, in addition to the valve body assembly (3) / support pin (4 ), a structural body comprising a part (12) forming a plug, provided with at least one fixing flange (13) and extended by an openwork part (14) of generally annular structure, providing at least the internal wall of a portion of duct (2) at the site of assembly of the assembly 15 valve body (3) / support pin (4) and the recesses forming seats (5, 5 ') for the edge parts (6, 6') of said valve body (3), said perforated part (14) comprising opposite guide bearings (15, 15 ') for the support axis (4), one of said guide bearings also extending through the part (12) forming a plug and the part of the support axis (4) extending beyond the latter being integral with a part or a drive member. nt in rotation (16), such as for example a link.   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the external faces of the parts (12 and 14) are supported by a cylindrical surface with a slightly frustoconical extension from the part (12) in the form of a plug, means for sealing (17, 18) being attached to said faces to ensure a circumferential peripheral sealing at the level of said portion (12) in the form of a plug and on the outer periphery of the annular portion (14).   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the sealing means (17, 18) consist of double lip seals added by overmolding and contiguous with each other.   11. Multichannel regulation assembly for controlling the circulation of a gaseous fluid in several conduits simultaneously, in particular in several pipes of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that it is constituted by several valve devices (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, whose valve body (3) / support pin (4) assemblies are controlled 12 in position by a single functionally integral control rod (19) an actuator (20), said devices (1) being mounted in an indexed and sealed manner in transverse housings (21) formed in said conduits (22) with the support axes (4) situated in a plane perpendicular to the directions d flow of the fluid in said conduits (22) and with the internal walls of the perforated parts (14) of the various devices (1) flush and contiguous to the internal walls of the respective conduits receiving them.   12. Assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the control rod (19) comprises a plurality of drive sites (19 '), such as pins, recesses, protuberances or the like, implanted in a spaced manner along said rod and each engaging with a rotating drive part (16) of a control pin (4).   13. A method of manufacturing an intake manifold comprising at least two pipes whose circulation flow is regulated and provided with a multi-channel regulation assembly according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that essentially consists in producing at least one, and preferably several, manifold (s) 20 provided with the transverse housings (21) for receiving and mounting the valve devices (1) of the aforementioned assembly, via the production process intended to produce these manifolds in series, to measure the deformations and clearances affecting the manifolds thus produced, in particular at the level of said transverse housings (21), to mass produce the manifolds, the valve devices and the control rods , the latter taking into account the results of the aforementioned measurements for the establishment of the training sites (19 ′), and finally, to mount the devices to each collector valve (1) and a corresponding control rod (19).